Seoul will back the annual UN human rights resolution on Pyongyang, prioritising international cooperation over recent diplomatic tensions with the North.
SEOUL: South Korea will co-sponsor an annual United Nations resolution on North Korean human rights.
The foreign ministry announced the decision late Saturday, based on a stance of cooperating with the international community to bring about substantive improvements.
This move comes despite recent overtures by President Lee Jae Myung and Pyongyang’s formal labelling of Seoul as its “most hostile entity”.
North Korea has long been accused by the UN of widespread rights abuses, including prison camps and severe restrictions on freedoms.
The announcement followed comments by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who suggested Seoul should withhold support as Pyongyang sees the resolution as hostile.
Seoul withheld support between 2019 and 2022 under former president Moon Jae-in to improve ties.
It resumed co-sponsorship in 2023 under ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol.
North Korea consistently rejects abuse allegations, accusing the UN of politicising human rights.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in 2025 the situation had shown no improvement and in many cases had worsened.
The EU- and Australia-drafted resolution is expected to be adopted at a UN Human Rights Council session later this month.
